Hell and High Water

Tanya Landman turns to a British setting for her latest novel, set in 18th century Devon. Caleb, a mixed race lad, is left alone when his puppeteer father is unjustly convicted of a crime and sent for transportation. Caleb finds his estranged aunt, and lives with her and her step daughter Lettie. A lot of the novel deals with injustice, and the inequality of rich and poor, in a world where the local gentry has everyone with any power - churchmen, lawyers, judges - involved in his web of crime and corruption. The question Caleb struggles with, after he finds a body on the beach, and starts to discover what is going on, is how the poor can ever win when everyone who should be able to help has a vested interest in keeping quiet. This on top of the racism Caleb suffers from people of all classes, who are unfamiliar with anyone not like them. His friendship with Lettie, which gradually develops into a strong relationship, helps Caleb to persevere, and justice is finally done, although not everyone survives. The two main characters are well portrayed, and Lettie is a strong female lead, whose physical as well as emotional strength plays an important part in the story. Caleb is vulnerable, but has a strong sense of justice, which is what gets him through. Some of the more minor characters seem a little two-dimensional, but the plot carries the reader along. The historical detail is good, creating a believable setting, and the contrast between the busy city and the quiet village on the coast is well portrayed. The details about the Punch and Judy show, and the special effects Caleb's father used, were fascinating. So, a good exciting story, with a depth of well researched historical background, and some important moral issues. 320 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Carol Williams, librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+